Medication Safety Is A Major Focus For Providers Of In Home Care For Elderly Seniors

Medication is designed to heal, cure illness and reduce pain. However, senior citizens tend to be a major group of medication abusers. Providers of in home care for elderly seniors suggest that your parent may not be purposely abusing. However, many reasons may be contributing to this problem without their awareness. One obvious reason may be mom or dad’s declining vision. If your mother or father cannot see what they are taking, they may be taking the wrong medication or the incorrect dosage. Memory loss also plays a role in medication overdose or incorrect dosing. In home care for elderly supporters are concerned that mom or dad may also be mixing medications with alcohol or foods that should not be combined.

Providers of in home care for elderly adults recommend that if your parent is confused about the medication he or she takes or when to take his or her pills, it may help to teach them more about their prescriptions. For some senior citizens, setting up a weekly dosage plan is sufficient. Others may need their provider of in home care for elderly seniors to stop by their home to assist with medication. Some families take turns and assign family members or volunteers from church or neighborhood to assist their senior loved ones with their daily medications.

Many older adults have tried cutting back on their medications because of the high cost of prescriptions. This practice can be harmful to their health. Providers of in home care for elderly citizens will raise concerns with a senior’s family support system in the event this happens. Under-dosing pills is as dangerous in many cases as overdosing. If your mom or dad cannot afford their medication, it is important to contact their doctor and check into different medical and pharmacy programs to verify any free or discount plans.